September 18/13 13:36 pm - Team Canada Announces Elite Men for Road Worlds

Posted by Editoress on 09/18/13

Three riders will represent Canada in the elite men's events at the 2013 Road World Championships in Italy, Cycling Canada announced today.

Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEDGE) will compete in the Individual Time Trial. Tuft won silver in this event in 2008. Christian Meier (Orica-GreenEDGE) and François Parisien (Argos-Shimano), will contest the road race. [Note: Svein Tuft will also compete in the Team Time Trial with Orica-GreenEDGE]

Francois Parisien in Quebec City GP

Christian Meier

Svein Tuft, 2013 Tour de France

Although Canada qualified for three riders for the men's road race, Cycling Canada opted to send only two riders. Ryder Hesjedal, who finished third in the Grand Prix cycliste de Montreal last Sunday, declined his selection and it was deemed that there were no other athletes available who would be competitive in this event.

"This event is an opportunity to showcase competitiveness and performance in favour of development," said Cycling Canada High Performance Director Jacques Landry. "We have to field a competitive team for this prestigious and high-calibre event. In the elite category for road cycling, Canada will no longer use World Championships as a development tool, as many other races serve that purpose."

The 2013 Road World Championships begin on September 22nd in Florence, Italy. The 57 kilometre elite men's time trial is on September 25th and the 268 kilometre elite men's road race is on September 29th.

Canadian Cyclist will be on-site, as always, to provide daily coverage, interviews and photos.